“Tragic Birthday Explosion Claims Life of Ukrainian Army Adviser”
In a heart-wrenching incident, Major Hennadiy Chastyakov, a close adviser to the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, lost his life on his birthday after a hidden grenade among his gifts exploded. The unfortunate event unfolded as Major Chastyakov, aged 39, returned to his apartment with gifts from his colleagues and commenced the process of opening them in the presence of his 13-year-old son.
Initial reports suggested that the major’s son had inadvertently started manipulating the grenade’s ring. However, Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Igor Klymenko, clarified the sequence of events, explaining that Major Chastyakov had taken the grenade away from his child and accidentally triggered the explosive device, resulting in the tragic explosion.
The news of Major Chastyakov’s untimely demise was confirmed by General Valery Zaluzhny, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, on his Telegram page. General Zaluzhny expressed his deep sorrow and described Major Chastyakov as a close friend, emphasizing his dedication to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in their ongoing battle against Russian aggression.
General Zaluzhny wrote on his Telegram channel, “Inexplicable pain and a heavy loss for the armed forces and for me personally. My aide and close friend Major Gennady Chastyakov died under tragic circumstances today, on his birthday, in the bosom of the family. An unidentified explosive device went off in one of the gifts.” He also extended his condolences to Major Chastyakov’s wife and four children.
Initially, the incident was reported as a suspected assassination involving a booby-trapped gift. However, further details have since emerged. Major Chastyakov’s wife disclosed that the fatal gift contained a bottle of alcohol and shot glasses shaped like grenades. A subsequent police search of the apartment uncovered five more live grenades.
It has been reported that Major Chastyakov was well-versed in handling grenades, having graduated from a military academy.
The police have now identified a fellow soldier who presented the fatal gift to Major Chastyakov, and an investigation is currently underway to shed light on the circumstances leading to this tragic accident.
Authorities have described the incident as a “tragic accident,” and the Interior Minister has urged the public to await the outcome of the official investigation.
